A backyard pond in Des Moines costs about $12,000 for a small 6 by 8 foot pond, $24,000 to $26,000 for an average 11 by 16 foot pond, and $40,000 and up for a large 26 by 16 foot pond with a stream, lighting and auto-fill. Those are averages from ponds Just Add Water has built around Central Iowa. Your exact price comes after an on-site visit.
Below is what each price range gets you, what moves the number up or down, and what a pond costs to own once it is built.
Pond prices at a glance
| Pond | Typical size | What is included | Average price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic pond | 6 by 8 feet | Pump, filter, rocks and a 1.5 foot waterfall | $12,000 |
| Average pond | 11 by 16 feet | Pump, filter, rocks, aquatic plants and an upgraded waterfall | $24,000 to $26,000 |
| High-end pond | 26 by 16 feet | Larger waterfall and stream, underwater lighting, large boulders, plants and auto-fill | $40,000 and up |
Most homeowners in Ankeny, Urbandale and Clive land in the average range. It is big enough to feel like a destination in the yard without taking it over.
What you get for the money
A pond is a full system, not a hole with a liner in it. Every pond we build is an ecosystem pond. That means the parts work together so the water stays clear with very little work from you.
- Design and site visit. We walk the yard with you, talk about where you will sit and look at the water, and plan the size and shape around that.
- Excavation. We dig to the design, with shelves for plants and enough depth for Iowa winters.
- Underlayment and liner. A protective layer goes down first, then a quality liner that holds the water.
- Rock and gravel. Boulders and gravel lock the liner in place, hide it and give the pond its natural look.
- Filtration and circulation. A skimmer pulls debris off the surface. A biological filter at the top of the waterfall gives beneficial bacteria a place to work.
- Waterfall or stream. Moving water is what you hear from the patio, and it keeps the pond healthy.
- Aquatic plants. Plants soften the edges and use up the nutrients algae would otherwise feed on.
You can see the full list of what goes into a build on our custom ponds page.
What changes the price
Two ponds of the same size can cost very different amounts. These are the things that move the number most.
Size and depth. A bigger pond takes more digging, more liner, more rock and a bigger pump.
Access. If equipment can roll straight into the backyard, the job goes faster. Tight gates, steep slopes and long hauls by hand add labor.
Waterfalls and streams. Even a basic pond includes a small waterfall. A long stream with several drops is one of the biggest upgrades.
Boulders. Large character boulders look amazing. They also need machines to set them.
Lighting. Underwater and waterfall lights let you enjoy the pond after dark. A 3-light pond lighting system runs about $1,700, and a 6-light system about $3,300.
Auto-fill. An auto-fill keeps the water level topped off so you are not dragging a hose every few days in July.
Plants and landscaping around the pond. More plants and finished edges cost more, and they are what make a new pond look like it has always been there.
Costs to own a pond
The build is the big number. Owning the pond costs much less, but it is not free.
- Spring and fall care. Most Central Iowa ponds do best with one thorough cleanout a year. A pond cleaning averages about $650 for small ponds, $1,150 for most ponds and $1,950 for large or complex ones.
- Maintenance plans. If you would rather not do it yourself, maintenance plans run $250 to $300 a month for monthly visits, depending on the size of the pond. Single visits are $175 to $250.
- Repairs. If you ever lose water, our leak inspection is $250 and includes an hour of troubleshooting.
- Electricity and water. The pump runs most of the year, and you will top off water lost to evaporation in summer.
Other water features and what they cost
A full pond is not the only way to get the sound of water.
| Water feature | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Fountainscape (one urn, bowl or basalt column) | About $5,000 |
| Pondless waterfall (2 foot stream, two small falls) | About $6,500 |
| Recreational pond you can swim in (15 by 30 feet, 4 feet deep) | About $103,000 |
A pondless waterfall or fountainscape gives you moving water with no open pond to care for. A recreational pond is a natural swim pond with wetland filtration and no chlorine.
Can you build it yourself?
Some homeowners do. The parts are available, and a small pond is a fun project. Where DIY ponds usually go wrong is the stuff you cannot see once the rocks are in: a liner edge that sits too low, a waterfall that splashes outside the liner, or a pump and filter that are too small for the pond. Those are also the most common causes of leaks we repair.
If you want to try it, we are happy to help with design advice and the right products. If you want it done for you, we will build it.
How to get your exact price
- Price it out online. Our pond cost estimator gives you a range in a few minutes.
- Book a site visit. We look at your yard, talk through what you want and measure.
- Get a written quote. You get a clear price and a realistic timeline before any work starts.
Spring and summer fill up fast in Central Iowa. Reaching out early is the best way to get on the schedule. Call (515) 208-4099 or request a quote.
Pond cost questions
How much does a small pond cost? A small 6 by 8 foot pond with a pump, filter, rocks and a 1.5 foot waterfall averages about $12,000 in Central Iowa.
What is the most common pond size people build? Most homeowners choose something close to 11 by 16 feet. That pond averages $24,000 to $26,000 with plants and an upgraded waterfall.
Is a pondless waterfall cheaper than a pond? Usually, yes. Pondless waterfalls start around $6,500 and need less upkeep, because there is no open pond to clean.
How long does it take to build a pond? Most backyard ponds come together in a matter of days once we break ground. Larger ponds with long streams take longer, and spring weather always has a say.
Keep reading: Swimming Pool To Koi Pond: Creating An Amazing Backyard and The Art of Pond Building in Iowa: Transforming Your Backyard Oasis.
